British & Irish Lion Cian Healy returns to the Ireland starting line-up as one of two changes for their RBS 6 Nations Round Two clash with Italy in Rome.
The other change sees Donnacha Ryan recalled to the second row as Joe Schmidt’s side look to bounce back from an opening day defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh.
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2013 Lion Healy replaces his Leinster teammate Jack McGrath at loosehead prop and will start his first game in the Championship since 2015.
And with British & Irish Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland watching on, Schmidt admits the battle between the Leinster duo for the No 1 shirt is heating up.
“It was always our intention (to switch up Jack and Cian), and give them a 50/30 share,” said Schmidt. "They'll both get 80 minutes across the two matches and Cian starts on Saturday."
Healy packs down alongside Rory Best and Tadhg Furlong in the front row with Ryan joining Devin Toner in the engine room.
The back row of Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and CJ Stander remains the same while Conor Murray and Paddy Jackson remains the half-back pairing in an unchanged backline.
That means Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose are the centres while Simon Zebo, Keith Earls and Rob Kearney are the back three.
Here's the Ireland team for @SixNationsRugby v @Federugby #TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/Em9HTpNydA
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 9, 2017
Craig Gilroy replaces Tommy Bowe as the back three bench cover while Ultan Dillane is the second row replacement meaning Iain Henderson is not in the matchday-23.
Ireland shipped three tries in the first half of their defeat to Scotland and Schmidt is insistent that does not happen again.
"I have challenged them for a better start in Italy," said Schmidt.
"I think it's incredibly disappointing the way we started last weekend.
"I don't think it was apathy, there was a bit of anxiety at not having had the full period to warm up.
"Players get anxious, they get very routine-based and I do think it's a challenge for a professional player that they can be adaptable in different circumstances, so they can still start well and cope.
"We were really disappointed with the way we started.
"They scored three tries in those first 25 minutes, then didn't score another try after that. And I think that reflects what the team were capable of, but unfortunately then you're chasing things.
"So we've certainly given them that challenge this week, and hopefully we see a better start."
Ireland team to play Italy:
15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 73 caps
14. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 55 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 4 caps
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 25 caps
11. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster) 29 caps
10. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) 20 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 54 caps
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 63 caps
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 101 caps captain
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 12 caps
4. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster) 43 caps
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 43 caps
6. CJ Stander (Munster) 11 caps
7. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster) 45 caps
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) 92 caps vc
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster) uncapped
17. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's/Leinster) 37 caps
18. John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 2 cap
19. Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht) 9 caps
20. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 6 caps
21. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 9 caps
22. Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster) 4 caps
23. Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster) 9 caps
